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Thursday, July 31, 2014

An answer to my medical problem ... Bulletin Board Set Up ... and $300

Another Five for Friday Linky Party. Only one more left before I officially go back to school. WAHHH!



  I have a diagnosis to the medical problem I told you all about last week. I have Meniere's Disease. Check out this article for more information.
I've been getting horrible dizzy spells since November. They are debilitating. If I don't lay down right away, I vomit (sorry for the TMI). 
Each episode lasts 30 minutes to a few hours. After a spell, my body is done for. I can't do anything. I feel like I was hit by a truck. 
Yes I've had spells in the middle of teaching and gotten sick in-front of my students. It happened twice. Not okay in my book.
Along with this disease is hearing loss. My husband always complained that I never listened to him when he asked me something. I always told him that I couldn't hear him. Well, turns out, I couldn't! With this disease, it is harder to hear lower pitched sounds. Plus I have this annoying ringing and fulness feeling all the time. ANNOYING! Okay, I'm done rambling. 
Due to being bedridden for two days this week (thanks Meniere's), I only got to work in my classroom one day. There is not any air. Therefore, I only stayed two hours. It was a very unpleasant (and sticky) two hours. I did manage to get one bulletin board done. Love the way it came out. You can find the Reading Comprehension Posters {here}. I have a bright edition and a chalkboard edition. The posters are GREAT reminders of what that "ACADEMIC" language you use all the time means. 
 
 
 
Are you getting ready for Back-To-School (sorry for mentioning it). I'm filling my TPT cart with lots of goodies. 
The one item that I'm very excited to use again this year, is my AR/Reading Counts Clip Chart. It is the best way to get ALL my students motivated to read and KEEP on reading. 
 
 
  I love making these Memes. Seriously LOVE!!!
 

 
Something HUGE is coming this Sunday. Yup, you heard right, SUNDAY. Check back right here for your chance to learn lots of helpful teaching hacks AND a chance to win over $300 in prizes.
 
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Sunday, July 27, 2014

Easy Peasy Bin Make-Over and $200!



Happy Monday everyone! I hope this post finds you with a smile on your face. 

Today, I've linked up with a fellow Floridian, Tara from 4th Grade Frolics.

Here are some things that I've been working on.
 

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I know I've posted these before, but I just got done with them all. Someone was throwing away 20 white bins. I couldn't just let them go to waste. I snatched them up.
Some spray paint, glitter duct tape, and stickers later, they are completely transformed. I hope my students love them as much as I do. 

 
 
I can't wait to show everyone what I've been putting together. Well, we. My partner in crime, Amy from Learning Lessons with Mrs. Labrasciano, and I have been creating something just for you. You will receive many great tips for back to school and have a chance to win serious CHA-Ching $$$. Return here August 3rd to find out more!


Photo Credit to Kristen from PlanetMommyhood! Love her photography skills. 
 
 



My newest product! Just in time for the start of the school year. I promise you will love these centers! They will make your life so much easier because I've differentiated them for you. Click {here} to grab a copy today.


I'm off to work in my classroom. Can't wait to get started on bulletin boards! Check back next week to see a preview of my room. 

Smiles,
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My high and low from the week.

 
 
I've linked up with the amazing blog, A First for Everything!

This is a really fun linky party that explains our highs and lows for the week.

 
 
 Amy, from Learning Lessons with Mrs. Labrasciano and I have been working SUPER hard on a fun surprise for everyone! It includes FREE teaching tips and $300 CASH! Find out the details August 3rd!
 
 
 
Photo: This is me in 100 degree heat stuck in traffic in a car that didn't have ac. 
 
The air broke in my car. I was stuck in traffic in 100 degree heat! Ugh. Good thing it isn't our main car that we use. 
 
 
 
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Thursday, July 24, 2014

Florida Teacher Blog Hop. Freebies Included!


 
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I'm very excited to be part of this wonderful Blog Hop. Thanks to Creativity To The Core for organizing it!
Here a little more about where little old me lives.
 


 
My city has a sanctuary for Scrub Jays. They are a beautiful bird. And are everywhere where I live. I LOVE spotting them. Each year, my students take a trip to the sanctuary. It is beautiful. 
 
 
Our city  has numerous parks. Seriously, like 10. They're everywhere. And awesome for the kids. I mean really, look how neat the playground below is. So MUCH fun!
 
 
 
What would a blog hop be without a little freebie?
You can find my freebie by clicking {here}. It is a set of brag tags. You will love using these in your room as an alternative classroom management strategy.

Just to make this blog hop a little more special, I've selected an item to be discounted! 
Need something for the first few weeks of school? Look no further!



 This ELA pack is aligned to the book If You Take a Mouse to School. It includes QR codes, centers, crafts, vocabulary, and so much more! Click {here} to check it out!

Ok, I've saved the best for last.... A GIVEAWAY! WAHOO.... Enter Below!


 

Come find out more about the beautiful state of Florida by reading about these other sweet teachers!





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Medical Issues... A picky toddler.... and $200


I haven't linked up with Doodle Bugs all summer. I've been super busy. So much for relaxation. 









Need the perfect thing for Back-to-School? It doesn't get anymore perfect than this. It is my If You Take a Mouse to School ELA Resource Pack. Full of centers, QR codes, vocabulary. craftivities, and so much more. Grab your copy by clicking {here}.


Since November, I've been getting dizzy spells.The kind of spells where all you can do is lay down and throw up. It has really caused my quality of life to go down. I went for testing today to try and find the cause of my spells. I have another test tomorrow. For those that are healthy, don't take it for granted! Enjoy every minute. 

MY CHILD WILL NOT EAT! Please tell me this is normal. She grazes all day long. It is rare that she eats an actual meal. No meat, no veggies. She'll eat popsicles (homemade to sneak in veggies and protein), pasta, and fruit. Other than that, nothing. It is driving me nuts. We waste so much food. 
Any tips out there for us?

Have you noticed my blog make-over? I'm in love! Seriously people, it is love! The talented Gabby from Gabby's Classroom created this masterpiece. If you are wanting to get a bloggy make-over, go visit her!
 
 
 
 This is huge....PEOPLE THIS IS HUGE!

I'm so excited to tease you all a little bit!


You have a chance to win serious cash! Not products, or TPT gift cards. CASH!!!! 
Find out why, when, and how later this week!
 
**Photo Credit to Kristen From Pregnant and Barefoot Photography** Check out her PlanetMommyhood YouTube Channel.
 
 
 
 
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I have an announcement...I'm in love!



My blog got a HUGE make-over! I mean HUGE. There is not one thing that is the same about it. I'm the type of person that hates change. I dread it. I get sick to my stomach thinking about change. But this change, made me feel a whole new feeling!

LOVE! I'm in love. Seriously people. It is LOVE.

Who created this blog? The amazingly talented Gabby from Gabby's Classroom. She is new to the blog design scene. Yet, she is fantastic. Brilliant in fact! 

Head on over and check her out.
 
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Tuesday, July 22, 2014

Top 5 Classroom Management Tips.... You'll love #3! Plus 2 Classroom Management Freebies!



The summer is winding down. *eye rolls*. I know, I know. I said it out loud.

Time to think about the new school year. As teachers, we reevaluate the previous school year. What went wrong? What could be done better? What lessons worked? What lessons should I tweak?  What resources can I use?

The biggest thing that I think about before each school year starts, is classroom management and procedures. I've listed my top 5 ideas for a smooth going school year.

1. Model! Model! Model! I can't say it enough. Whatever you want your kids to do, you need to SHOW them how to do it. Do this over and over and over again. If you want the kids to walk with their hands behind their backs or at their sides, then you walk like that. You want to start DEAR time,then you read a book as well.
Model how the students should talk to each other. Role play over and over. Every move you make, say it out loud and explain why.
Model everything from getting a pencil to getting a tissue.

2. Positive reinforcement. When you see a student actually following a rule or performing a procedure the correct way, praise them out loud! Do this all day long. Other kids will
 quickly catch on and want to be praised as well.
This one is hard. It is hard to catch every student doing something well. But try!
If Billy pushed in his chair say, "Billy, thank you for remembering to push in your chair. That helps make our classroom safe."
If Anna used kind words while talking to a friend say, "Anna, I love hearing those kind words. I know your friends love it as well. Thank you for being kind."

3. Brag Tags! They are all the rage now. Kids are LOVING them. It is something that is different and cool. Each time a child does something positive, like use kind words, they can wear a brag tag. All their friends and family will see the tags. This will increase confidence in even your most shy students. There are hundreds of different tags out there. Want to try some out? Grab my set {here}. They're FREE!!!

Give 'em Braggin Rights....Brag Tags

4. Want an alternative to a clip chart? I've created a mini behavior clip chart. This is just what you need to give you kiddos a little more privacy, yet giving the parents the almighty colored check mark in their planner. The clip chart fits right on their desk. Guess what? These are free as well! Grab them {here}.

*Mini* Behavior Clip Chart  *4 Different Styles*

5. Bullying. *cringe*! It happens. Unfortunately. It is a part of life. All we can do is instill lots of kindness in hopes that the "bullies" catch on and make a change. Need some ideas on how to do this? Check out my Get Your Kindness product. Lots and lots of activities, ideas, and much more! Click {here} to grab your copy and start a kindness revolution in your class.




Thanks for stopping by! Happy new school year!


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